Suspicious box alarms Zambo Sibugay residents
By Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga | 07/10/2009 12:07 AM
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ZAMBOANGA CITY - After several blasts hit areas of Mindanao early this week, a box left on a passenger bus caused alarm to residents in a town in Zamboanga Sibugay province Thursday.
A box that was left on board a bus in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay caused alarm to the residents near the Ipil Integrated Bus Terminal after it was suspected to contain explosives.
Col. Rolando Tenefrancia, Army’s 102nd Brigade commander, said a policeman who was on board the bus reportedly saw an unidentified man leave the box behind when he alighted from the bus in Buug town.
Upon reaching the bus terminal, the policeman reportedly asked for the assistance from the Explosive Ordnance Division which immediately dispatched it's Bomb Disposal Team.
The box was “diffused” by the bomb experts at about Thursday afternoon.
Senior Superintendent Federico Castro Jr., Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the box did not contain explosives but two units of 9mm machine pistol which were "probably intended to be smuggled."
"The firearms were placed in a box and the box was covered with fruits," Castro said. "But upon sensing the presence of the police, the suspect might have thought it best to leave the baggage behind."
Authorities throughout Region 9 have been alerted following the series of bombings in other parts of Mindanao.
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